A MAN has been arrested and new CCTV released after more than 600 high value British Empire artefacts were stolen in a museum heist.
A group of four males broke into Bristol Museum in the early hours of September 25 last year sparking a major manhunt.
Avon and Somerset Police arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen goods, later releasing him under investigation.
The force have released new CCTV images and clips as they continue to hunt four other suspects they wish to speak to in connection to the high-value burglary.
The gang of four are believed to have gained entry to the property, in the Cumberland Road area of Bristol, between 1am and 2am.
Cherished items from the museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection were housed on the site.
Police have described the artefacts taken – including medals, badges and pins, jewellery, decorative items such as carved ivory, silver items and bronze figurines – as having a “significant cultural value”.
Natural history pieces, including geological specimens, are also believed to have been taken in the burglary.
A police spokeswoman said: “We continue to appeal for the public’s help to identify the four men pictured and have released two short video clips of the people we wish to speak to.”
The four men police are working to identify are described as white.
One was of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers and black trainers.
The second man was of slim build, wearing a grey hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers.
The third male wore a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts and white trainers and appeared to walk with a slight limp in his right leg.
The fourth man was of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers, and black and white trainers.
Following the burglary, Bristol City Council released images of an elephant carved in ivory, an ivory statue of the Buddha, a ship lantern and an Emancipation token.
DC Dan Burgen said the theft of the items “which carry significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city”.
“These items, many of which were donations, form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we are hoping that members of the public can help us to bring those responsible to justice,” he added.
While Philip Walker, Head of Culture and Creative Industries at Bristol City Council, said they were “deeply saddened by the thefts” of the artefacts.
He said: “These artefacts were part of a collection that documents the links between Britain and countries formerly part of the British Empire from the late 18th century to the late 20th Century.
“The collection is of cultural significance to many countries and provides an invaluable record and insight into the lives of those involved in and affected by the British Empire.”
The British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at Bristol Archives documents the links between Britain and countries in the British Empire from the late 19th century to recent times.
There are around 2,000 items in the film collections dating from 1920 to the 1970s, with footage from India and countries in Africa, and around 500,000 photographs dating from the 1860s to the 1970s.
Anyone with information is asked to call Avon and Somerset Police on 101, giving the reference number 5225269603, or to complete an online appeals form.
